[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1964 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
114th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1964
To amend parts B and E of title IV of the Social Security Act to invest
in funding prevention and family services to help keep children safe
and supported at home with their families, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
August 5, 2015
Mr. Wyden (for himself, Ms. Stabenow, Mr. Casey, Mr. Bennet, Mr. Brown,
Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Schumer, and Mr. Menendez) introduced the following
bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend parts B and E of title IV of the Social Security Act to invest
in funding prevention and family services to help keep children safe
and supported at home with their families, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Family Stability
and Kinship Care Act of 2015''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
Sec. 3. Purpose.
Sec. 4. Time-limited family services under part E of title IV of the
Social Security Act.
Sec. 5. Ensuring funding under part B of title IV of the Social
Security Act for prevention and post-
permanency support.
Sec. 6. Effective date.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Our Nation's child welfare financing system gives
States and Indian Tribes few resources to invest in prevention
and family services that help keep children safely at home or
in the care of other family members.
(2) Title IV-E of the Social Security Act currently
provides States and Indian Tribes with mandatory Federal
funding support for children only after they are placed in
foster care. Title IV-E provides few incentives for State and
tribal efforts to prevent the need for out-of-home placements
of children or to reduce the time children spend in foster
care.
(3) In contrast, State and tribal innovations implemented
through title IV-E waivers suggest that permitting State and
tribal spending under title IV-E for front end prevention and
family services may help reduce the prevalence and length of
foster care placements while maintaining or improving safety
and permanency outcomes for children.
(4) Additionally, State experiences with subsidized
guardianship demonstrate that when children cannot remain with
their parents, children placed with relatives or kin experience
greater stability than children placed with non-relative foster
families. Kinship or relative care reduces the emotional trauma
associated with separation from parents, helps keep siblings
together, and preserves cultural heritage and community bonds.
Providing supportive services to relatives and kin can reduce
the number of children entering or re-entering foster care.
(5) At the same time, current Federal funding for broad,
community-based, primary prevention programs through title IV-B
is too limited to adequately reach the number of families in
need.
(6) Greater access to prevention and family services will
help keep children safe and supported at home with their
parents or other family members, give States and Indian Tribes
the flexibility to adapt evidence-based support services to the
specific needs of each family, and ensure that States and
Indian Tribes are held accountable for allocating services in
ways that maximize safety and permanency for children, while
minimizing the prevalence of lengthy foster care placements.
SEC. 3. PURPOSE.
The purpose of this Act is to enable States to provide enhanced
support to children and families and prevent foster care placements
through the provision of time-limited family services and expanded
kinship supports.
SEC. 4. TIME-LIMITED FAMILY SERVICES UNDER PART E OF TITLE IV OF THE
SOCIAL SECURITY ACT.
(a) Time-Limited Family Services Defined.--Section 475 of such Act
(42 U.S.C. 675) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(13)(A) The term `time-limited family services' means
supports and services that are among the services and supports
specified in subparagraph (B) and that are provided to a child
or to the parents or potential or designated kin caregivers of
a child described in subparagraph (C) during a 12-month period
that begins on a date described in subparagraph (D). Such
individuals shall remain eligible for time-limited family
services for a full 12-month period without regard to whether
any such individuals cease to be described in subparagraph (C)
after the period begins.
``(B) The services and supports described in this
subparagraph are the following:
``(i) Parenting and family skills training and
parent education, including parent advocates, peer-to-
peer mentoring and support groups for parents, primary
caregivers, and potential kinship caregivers.
``(ii) Individual, group, and family counseling,
mentoring, and therapy, including intensive family
preservation or reunification programs and trauma-
informed care.
``(iii) Services or assistance to address barriers
to family preservation and reunification, including
mental health needs, domestic violence, substance
abuse, and inadequate housing.
``(iv) Crisis assistance or services to stabilize
families in times of crisis or facilitate kinship
placement, such as transportation, clothing, household
goods, assistance with housing and utility payments,
child care, respite care, and assistance connecting
families with other community-based services.
``(C) Individuals described in this subparagraph are the
following:
``(i) A child who is a candidate for foster care
(as defined in paragraph 14) but can remain safely at
home or in a kinship placement with receipt of
specified time-limited family services.
``(ii) A child in foster care (without regard to
whether the child is or would be eligible for payments
under section 472 or 473).
``(iii) A child in foster care who is a pregnant or
parenting foster youth.
``(iv) Parents or potential or designated kin
caregivers of a child described in clause (i), (ii), or
(iii) when their service needs are directly related to
the safety, permanence, or well-being of the child or
to the child's ability not to enter or re-enter foster
care.
``(D) The dates described in this subparagraph are the
following:
``(i) The date on which a child is identified in a
case plan as a child who is a candidate for foster care
(as defined in paragraph (14)).
``(ii) The date on which a child is considered to
have entered foster care pursuant to paragraph (5)(F).
``(iii) The date on which a child is identified in
a case plan as a pregnant or parenting foster youth in
need of time-limited family services.
``(14) The term `child who is a candidate for foster care' means, a
child who is identified in a case plan as being at imminent risk of
entering or re-entering foster care (without regard to whether the
child is or would be eligible for payments under section 472 or 473)
but who can remain safely in the child's current home or in a kinship
placement as long as the time-limited family services that are
necessary to prevent the child's entry or reentry into foster care are
provided. Such term includes a child whose adoption or guardianship
arrangement is at risk of a disruption or dissolution that would result
in a foster care placement.''.
(b) Requirements.--Section 471 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 671) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ``and'' and all that
follows through the semicolon and inserting ``, adoption
assistance in accordance with section 473, and, at the option
of the State, time-limited family services in accordance with
subsection (e);''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(e) Requirements for Time-Limited Family Services.--
``(1) In general.--A State may provide time-limited family
services (as defined in section 475(13)) to individuals
described in subparagraph (C) of section 475(13) only if the
State--
``(A) submits as part of the State plan required
under subsection (a) a time-limited family services
plan component that meets the requirements of paragraph
(2); and
``(B) satisfies the general requirements specified
in paragraph (3) and the maintenance of effort
requirements specified in (5).
``(2) Time-limited family services plan component.--In
order to meet the requirements of this paragraph, a time-
limited family services plan component shall include, with
respect to each 5-year period for which the plan component is
in operation in the State, the following:
``(A) How the State intends to utilize the Federal
funding available for providing time-limited family
services, including a description of how Federal funds
provided for such services will be used to supplement,
and not supplant, the level of State and local funds
expended for child welfare.
``(B) How providing time-limited family services is
expected to improve outcomes for children and families,
including which specific outcomes the State expects to
achieve and the means by which those outcomes will be
monitored.
``(C) How the State will monitor and oversee the
safety of children who receive time-limited family
services, including through periodic risk assessments
throughout the period in which such services are
provided on behalf of a child remaining at home and re-
examination of the plan for service provision on behalf
of a child remaining at home or in foster care if there
is a determination that the child's risk of entering or
re-entering into foster care, or of being prevented
from exiting foster care, remains high over the course
of the provision of such services.
``(D) Information on the specific evidence-based
programs and promising practice models the State plans
to implement to provide time-limited family services,
including a description of--
``(i) each such program or model;
``(ii) how the State plans to implement
each such program or model;
``(iii) how the State selected such
programs or models; and
``(iv) the target population for each
model.
``(E) A description of the collaboration between
the State agencies responsible for administering the
State plans under this part and part B and the State
agency responsible for administering the State plan
under title XIX, as well as with other public and
private agencies with experience in administering child
and family services, including community-based
organizations, in order to foster a continuum of care
and services available for children and families.
``(F) A description of how the State shall assess
children and families to determine eligibility for
time-limited family services.
``(G) A description of training and support for
caseworkers handling prevention cases, including how
caseload size and type will be determined, managed, and
overseen.
``(H) A description of training and support for
parents or potential or designated kin caregivers of a
child eligible for time-limited family services.
``(3) General requirements.--The general requirements for
providing time-limited family services specified in this
paragraph are the following:
``(A) Specified services in advance of provision.--
``(i) In general.--Except as provided in
clause (ii), the specific services necessary to
prevent the child's entry or reentry into
foster care or enable the child's exit from
foster care to be reunified with their family
or placed with kin are specified in the child's
case plan in advance of the provision of such
services.
``(ii) Exception for emergency or other
exigent circumstances.--Clause (i) shall not
apply to the provision of time-limited family
services in emergency or exigent circumstances
but the provision of such services shall be
included in the child's case plan as soon as
practicable after the provision of the
services.
``(B) Promising and evidence-based programs,
assistance, or services.--
``(i) Evidence-based programs, assistance,
or services.--Not later than October 1, 2018,
at least 25 percent of the total amount of
expenditures by the State for time-limited
family services are for evidence-based
programs, assistance, or services that have
demonstrated any of the following outcomes, as
determined by the Secretary and based on
rigorous evaluation:
``(I) Reducing the likelihood or
duration of foster care placement.
``(II) Decreasing use of congregate
care settings.
``(III) Increasing use of kinship
care arrangements.
``(ii) Requirement.--The State only
provides time-limited family services that are
promising programs, services, or assistance and
through evidence-informed or culturally
specific or other adaptations of programs.
``(iii) Guidance on criteria and pre-
approved programs, services, and assistance.--
``(I) In general.--Not later than
October 1, 2017, the Secretary shall
issue guidance to States that specifies
the level of evidence required for a
program, service, or form of assistance
to satisfy the requirements of this
subparagraph, and contains a pre-
approved list of programs, services and
forms of assistance that meet such
criteria or satisfy such requirements.
``(II) Updates.--The Secretary
shall issue updates to the guidance
required under this clause as often as
the Secretary determines necessary.
``(C) Payment only if no other federal funding
available.--Payment under section 474(a)(6) for
expenditures for time-limited family services shall not
duplicate other Federal funding sources for services
and supports that are provided as time-limited family
services and shall only be made to the extent that
payment for services and supports provided as time-
limited family services cannot reasonably be expected
to be available under another federally funded program
within a reasonable time given the needs of the child
and the child's family during the child's 12-month
eligibility period.
``(D) Outcome assessment and reporting.--
``(i) In general.--The State shall collect
and report to the Secretary the following with
respect to each child for whom, or on whose
behalf, time-limited family services are
provided during a 12-month period:
``(I) With respect to each category
of services and supports described in
section 475(13)(B), the specific
services provided and the total
expenditures for each such service.
``(II) The child's placement status
at the beginning, and at the end, of
the period, respectively.
``(III) The child's placement
status 1 year after the end of the
period.
``(ii) Siblings.--If time-limited family
services are provided over a 12-month period to
or on behalf of 2 or more siblings, the
aggregate amount of expenditures for such
services to be reported under clause (i)(I) may
be allocated to 1 sibling or divided among such
siblings so long as such siblings are all
included in calculation of the per-child
spending measure under paragraph
(4)(A)(i)(III).
``(4) Authorization for outcomes-rewarded increased
match.--
``(A) National performance measures.--
``(i) Establishment; annual updates.--
Beginning with fiscal year 2021, and annually
thereafter, the Secretary shall establish the
following national performance measures:
``(I) Percentages of candidates who
do not subsequently enter foster
care.--With respect to all children for
whom, or on whose behalf, time-limited
family services are provided during any
12-month period, the percentages of
such children initially determined to
be candidates for foster care who do
not enter a foster care placement
(other than a kinship placement) during
such period and through the end of the
succeeding 12-month period.
``(II) Percentages of children who
leave foster care for reunification,
kinship placement, guardianship, or
adoption.--With respect to all children
for whom, or on whose behalf, time-
limited family services are provided
during any 12-month period, the
percentages of such children who are
initially in a foster care placement
who are returned to, or are placed with
a biological or adoptive parent or in a
kinship placement or guardianship at
the end of such period and who remain
in each such placement through the end
of the succeeding 12-month period.
``(III) Per-child spending on time-
limited family services.--With respect
to each 12-month period for which
percentages are determined under
subclauses (I) and (II) (other than a
percentage determined for a succeeding
12-month period), the total amount of
expenditures for providing time-limited
family services for, or on behalf of,
each child during the period.
``(ii) Data.--The Secretary shall establish
and update the national performance measures--
``(I) based on the median State
values of the information reported
under each subclause of clause (i) for
the 3 most recent years; and
``(II) taking into account State
differences in the price levels of
consumption goods and services using
the most recent regional price parities
published by the Bureau of Economic
Analysis of the Department of Commerce
or such other data as the Secretary
determines appropriate.
``(iii) Publication of state performance.--
The Secretary shall annually make available to
the public each State's performance with
respect to the national performance measures.
``(B) Application to matching rate.--
``(i) Criteria for increase.--Beginning
with fiscal year 2022, the Federal percentage
applicable to payments to a State for a fiscal
year under section 474(a)(6) for expenditures
attributable to time-limited family services
shall be increased by such number of percentage
points (not to exceed 10 percentage points) as
the Secretary shall determine, for any State
for which--
``(I) each of the State-specific
percentages described in subclauses (I)
and (II) of subparagraph (A)(i) are
greater than the national average
percentages determined under such
subclauses for the preceding fiscal
year; and
``(II) the State-specific per child
spending amount described in subclause
(III) of subparagraph (A)(i) is less
than the national average amount
determined under that subclause for the
preceding fiscal year.
``(ii) Criteria for reduction.--Beginning
with fiscal year 2022, the Federal percentage
applicable to payments to a State for a fiscal
year under section 474(a)(6) for expenditures
attributable to time-limited family services
shall be reduced by such number of percentage
points (not to exceed 10 percentage points) as
the Secretary shall determine, for any State
for which--
``(I) each of the State-specific
percentages described in subclauses (I)
and (II) of subparagraph (A)(i) are
less than the national average
percentages determined under such
subclauses for the preceding fiscal
year; and
``(II) the State-specific per child
spending amount described in subclause
(III) of subparagraph (A)(i) is more
than the national average amount
determined under that subclause for the
preceding fiscal year.
``(iii) No change unless all criteria
met.--A State shall not be eligible for an
increase in its applicable Federal matching
rate under section 474(a)(6) for a fiscal year,
or shall not be subject to a reduction in that
rate for a fiscal year, unless the State
satisfies both of the conditions specified in
clause (i) or (ii) (as applicable).
``(5) Maintenance of effort.--
``(A) Certification.--The Governor of a State shall
certify that payments under this part for time-limited
family services are used to supplement, and not
supplant, the level of State and local funds expended
for child welfare for fiscal year 2015.
``(B) State reports.--A State shall furnish reports
to the Secretary, at such times, in such format, and
containing such information as the Secretary may
require, that demonstrate the State's compliance with
subparagraph (A).
``(6) Administrative costs associated with the provision of
time-limited family services.--Expenditures described in
paragraph (6) or (7) of section 474(a)--
``(A) shall not be eligible for payment under
paragraph (3) of section 474(a); and
``(B) shall be eligible for payment without regard
to whether such expenditures are incurred on behalf of
a child who is, or is potentially, eligible for
assistance payments under this part.
``(7) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection
shall be construed to reduce or limit the responsibility of the
State agency responsible for administering the State plan
approved under title XIX to administer and provide care and
services for children with respect to whom services are
provided under the State plan developed pursuant to this
subpart.''.
(c) Payments Under Title IV-E.--
(1) In general.--Section 474(a) of the Social Security Act
(42 U.S.C. 674(a)) is amended--
(A) in paragraph (5), by striking the period at the
end and inserting ``; plus''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(6) subject to section 471(e), for each quarter beginning
after September 30, 2015, an amount equal to the Federal
medical assistance percentage (which shall be as defined in
section 1905(b), in the case of a State other than the District
of Columbia, or 70 percent, in the case of the District of
Columbia) of the total amount expended during such quarter for
the provision of time-limited family services (as defined in
section 475(13)) (or, with respect to such payments made during
such quarter under a cooperative agreement or contract entered
into by the State and an Indian tribe, tribal organization, or
tribal consortium for the administration or payment of funds
under this part, an amount equal to the Federal medical
assistance percentage that would apply under section 479B(d)
(in this paragraph referred to as the `tribal FMAP') if such
Indian tribe, tribal organization, or tribal consortium made
such payments under a program operated under that section,
unless the tribal FMAP is less than the Federal medical
assistance percentage that applies to the State); plus
``(7) subject to section 471(e)(6), for each quarter
beginning after September 30, 2015, an amount equal to the sum
of the following proportions of the total amount expended
during such quarter--
``(A) 50 percent of so much of such expenditures as
found necessary by the Secretary for the proper and
efficient administration of the State plan for the
provision of time-limited family services (as defined
in section 475(13)), including expenditures for
activities approved by the Secretary that promote the
development of necessary infrastructure to establish
and implement the provision of time-limited family
services for individuals who are eligible for such
services; and
``(B) 50 percent of so much of such expenditures as
are for training of personnel employed or preparing for
employment by the State agency or by the local agency
administering the plan in the political subdivision,
with respect to the provision of time-limited family
services, including on how to determine who are
individuals eligible for such services, how to identify
and provide appropriate time-limited family services,
and how to oversee and evaluate the ongoing
appropriateness of such services.''.
(2) Conforming amendment.--Subsection (i) of section 472 of
such Act (42 U.S.C. 672) is amended by adding after and below
paragraph (2)(B) of such subsection the following flush
sentence:
``Paragraphs (1) and (2) shall not apply to Federal matching payments
for administrative expenditures that are eligible for payment under
section 474(a)(7).''.
(d) Technical Assistance, Data Collection, and Evaluation.--Section
476 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 676) is amended by adding at
the end the following:
``(d) Technical Assistance, Data Collection, and Evaluations
Relating to Time-Limited Family Services.--
``(1) Technical assistance; best practices.--The Secretary
shall provide to States and, as applicable, to Indian tribes,
tribal organizations, and tribal consortia, technical
assistance regarding the provision of time-limited family
services under this part and shall disseminate best practices
with respect to the provision of such services.
``(2) Data collection and evaluations.--The Secretary,
directly or through grants, contracts, or interagency
agreements, shall collect data and conduct research and
evaluations with respect to the provision of time-limited
family services under this part for purposes of assessing the
extent to which the provision of such services reduces the
prevalence and length of foster care placements and improves
safety, permanency, and well-being outcomes for children on
whose behalf services or assistance are provided under this
part.
``(3) Reports to congress.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall submit to
the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the
Senate periodic reports based on the provision of time-
limited family services under this part and the
activities carried out under this subsection.
``(B) Public availability.--The Secretary shall
make the reports to Congress submitted under this
paragraph publicly available.
``(4) Appropriation.--There is appropriated to the
Secretary, out of any money in the Treasury of the United
States not otherwise appropriated, $2,500,000 for fiscal year
2016 and each fiscal year thereafter to carry out this
subsection.''.
(e) Application to Programs Operated by Indian Tribal
Organizations.--
(1) In general.--Section 479B of the Social Security Act
(42 U.S.C. 679c) is amended--
(A) in subsection (c)(1)--
(i) in subparagraph (C)(i)--
(I) in subclause (II), by striking
``and'' after the semicolon;
(II) in subclause (III), by
striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; and''; and
(III) by adding at the end the
following:
``(IV) at the option of the tribe,
organization, or consortium, time-
limited family services (as defined in
section 475(13)) to individuals
described in subparagraph (C) of
section 475(13), in accordance with
section 471(e) and subparagraph (E).'';
and
(ii) by adding at the end the following:
``(E) Time-limited family services.--
``(i) In general.--In the case of a tribe,
organization, or consortium that elects to
provide time-limited family services (as
defined in section 475(13)) to individuals
described in subparagraph (C) of section
475(13) under the plan, the Secretary shall
specify the requirements applicable to the
provision of such services. Such requirements
shall, to the greatest extent practicable, be
consistent with the requirements applicable to
States under section 471(e) and shall permit
the provision of such services in the form of
programs, assistance, or services that are
adapted to the culture and context of the
tribal communities served.
``(ii) Performance measures.--The Secretary
shall establish specific performance measures
for each tribe, organization, or consortium
that elects to provide time-limited family
services. The performance measures shall, to
the greatest extent practicable, be consistent
with the national performance measures required
for States under paragraph (4)(A) of section
471(e) but shall allow for consideration of
factors unique to the provision of such
services by tribes, organizations, or
consortia.''; and
(B) in subsection (d)(1), by striking ``and (5)''
and inserting ``(5), and (6)''.
(2) Conforming amendment.--The heading for subsection (d)
of section 479B of such Act (42 U.S.C. 679c) is amended by
striking ``for Foster Care Maintenance and Adoption Assistance
Payments''.
(f) Modernizing the Title and Purpose of Title IV-E.--
(1) Part heading.--The heading for part E of title IV of
the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 670 et seq.) is amended to
read as follows:
``PART E--FEDERAL PAYMENTS FOR FOSTER CARE AND PERMANENCY''.
(2) Purpose.--The first sentence of section 470 of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 670) is amended--
(A) by striking ``and'' before ``adoption
assistance'' and inserting a comma;
(B) by inserting ``kinship guardianship assistance,
and time-limited family services,'' after ``needs,'';
and
(C) by striking ``(commencing with the fiscal year
which begins October 1, 1980)''.
SEC. 5. ENSURING FUNDING UNDER PART B OF TITLE IV OF THE SOCIAL
SECURITY ACT FOR PREVENTION AND POST-PERMANENCY SUPPORT.
(a) Elimination of Time-Limit for Family Reunification Services.--
(1) In general.--Section 431(a)(7) of the Social Security
Act (42 U.S.C. 629a(a)(7)) is amended--
(A) in the paragraph heading, by striking ``Time-
limited family'' and inserting ``Family''; and
(B) in subparagraph (A)--
(i) by striking ``time-limited family'' and
inserting ``family''; and
(ii) by striking ``, but only during the
15-month period that begins on the date that
the child, pursuant to section 475(5)(F), is
considered to have entered foster care''.
(2) Conforming amendments.--
(A) Section 430 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 629) is
amended in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by
striking ``time-limited''.
(B) Subsections (a)(4), (a)(5)(A), and (b)(1) of
section 432 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 629b) are amended by
striking ``time-limited'' each place it appears.
(b) Mandatory Funding for the Promoting Safe and Stable Families
(PSSF) Program.--
(1) In general.--
(A) Appropriation for fiscal year 2016.--Section
436(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 629f(a))
is amended by striking ``are authorized'' and all that
follows through the period and inserting ``is
appropriated $1,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2016.''.
(B) Increase in funding for evaluation, research,
training and technical assistance and state court
improvements.--Section 436(b) of such Act (42 U.S.C.
629f(b)) is amended--
(i) in paragraph (1), in the matter
preceding subparagraph (A), by striking
``$6,000,000'' and inserting ``$10,000,000'';
and
(ii) in paragraph (2), by striking
``$30,000,000'' and inserting ``$33,000,000''.
(C) Increase in funding for state court assessments
and improvements.--Section 438(c)(3)(A)(i) of such Act
(42 U.S.C. 629h(c)(3)(A)(i)) is amended by striking
``$9,000,000'' and inserting ``$12,000,000''.
(2) Conforming amendment.--Section 437(a) of such Act (42
U.S.C. 629g(a)) is amended by striking ``2016'' and inserting
``2015''.
(c) Spending Requirements.--Section 432(a)(4) of the Social
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 629b(a)(4)) is amended by striking ``, with
significant portions of such expenditures for each such program'' and
inserting ``with at least 25 percent of the expenditures made for
adoption promotion and support services''.
(d) Research, Technical Assistance, and Guidance on Promising
Program Models and Evidence-Based Programs.--Section 435(c) of such Act
(42 U.S.C. 629e(c)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (1);
(2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (2) and
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) beginning with fiscal year 2016, $4,000,000 for
research on promising programs, including culturally specific
adaptations, to identify additional evidence-based prevention
and intervention programs that prevent child abuse and neglect,
reduce the likelihood of foster care placement by supporting
birth families and kinship families, increase family
reunification with parents or other kin, improve targeted
supports for pregnant and parenting teens and their children,
and promote post-permanency placement stability for children
living with relatives or non-related caregivers, and for
providing technical assistance and guidance to States with
respect to such programs.''.
(e) Family Connection Grants.--
(1) Reauthorization of funding for fiscal year 2016.--
Section 427(h) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 627(h)) is
amended by inserting ``, and $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2016''
after ``2014''.
(2) Inclusion of other family stability programs.--Section
427(a) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 627(a)) is amended--
(A) in paragraph (3)(B), by striking ``or'' after
the semicolon;
(B) in paragraph (4)(B), by striking the period at
the end and inserting ``; or''; and
(C) by inserting after paragraph (4)(B) the
following:
``(5) other programs with evidence to support their
effectiveness at preventing foster care placement or supporting
family stability post-permanency (or both).''.
SEC. 6. EFFECTIVE DATE.
(a) In General.--Subject to subsection (b), the amendments made by
this Act take effect on October 1, 2015.
(b) Transition Rule.--
(1) In general.--In the case of a State plan under part B
or E of title IV of the Social Security Act which the Secretary
of Health and Human Services determines requires State
legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds) in
order for the plan to meet the additional requirements imposed
by the amendments made by this Act, the State plan shall not be
regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of such
part solely on the basis of the failure of the plan to meet
such additional requirements before the first day of the first
calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first regular
session of the State legislature that begins after the date of
enactment of this Act. For purposes of the previous sentence,
in the case of a State that has a 2-year legislative session,
each year of such session shall be deemed to be a separate
regular session of the State legislature.
(2) Application to programs operated by indian tribal
organizations.--In the case of an Indian tribe, tribal
organization, or tribal consortium which the Secretary of
Health and Human Services determines requires time to take
action necessary to comply with the additional requirements
imposed by the amendments made by this Act (whether the tribe,
organization, or tribal consortium has a plan under section
479B of the Social Security Act or a cooperative agreement or
contract entered into with a State), the Secretary shall
provide the tribe, organization, or tribal consortium with such
additional time as the Secretary determines is necessary for
the tribe, organization, or tribal consortium to take such
action before being regarded as failing to comply with such
requirements.
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